Fruit-conveyer.



H. D. GORDON.

FRUIT CONVEYEB..

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 31, 1909.

967,365. Patented Aug.16,191o.

Z0 Q l ,3 mvmvmn Hnrtyogglczs Gordon u rromm To all 'whom "it may concern.' l i veyers, of which HENRY lDouanes comica,

` ravir-convertie,

Beit known thatI, HENRY DOUGLAS Grow l non, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of Idlewild, in the county of- Orange and State of New York, have iiivented vcertain Im rovements -in`14"ruit-Conv e following is `a specifi` cation. v

This invention relates to certain improvements-,in4 that. class of devices which i are especially designed andv adapted for employment during the Vpicking of fruit and the like, for conveying such fruit Vfrom the trees to baskets or other receptacles, and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character of a simplel and.

- `comparatively inexpensive nature, and of a light and strong construction, having certain features of novelty and improvement,r whereby the practical use of the device 1s facilitated in such a manner as tolessen and 'Ihe invention consists in certain novel features of the construction, and` combina-V tions and arrangementsrof the several parts' of the improved fruit conveyer, whereby damage to the fruit4 is effectively guarded against and certain other important advantages are attained, and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive, and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use,

Aall as will be hereinafter fully set forth..

The novel vfeaturesv of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In order that my invention may be the, better understood, I will vnovv'tproceed to de` scribe the same with reference to the' eccome; panying drawings which illustrate onefemfv bodiment of the improved fruit conveyer,.` in Which dravvingsy i Figure 1 is a perspective view, vdrawn-toa small scale and showing a fruit c'onveyeri` constructed according to my inventionr asit 1] appears during use; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken vertically and.; axially through the fruit conveyer, and illustrating certain features of construction` to be hereinafter referred to; Fig.` qi'sa transverse section taken through the device.;

in the plane indicated by the line treatin? Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectiontakem '1 In 'these viewsl have. shown the improved l;

conveyer constfructed `according to *myinvention applied fori practicalluse in` con# 1 nectioii.` with?` a -iadder henri-ng stiles `1,1 and vrungs 2, 2,lthe device beingso.` applied there` Parente@ 1210-.

to as. .to be. extended parallel with: -one of the stilesof vthesladder'so as to be out-tof the way. of the person ,ascending 1 or standing upon the `while .being-at .the same time conveniently accessible to receive; the' fruit as thesamel is picked, and ibeing. -securedi to theladder in vsuch away.` as .to `be capable of lbeing readily` transported from tree to tree` asthe ladder is moved from place to lacein [the orchard, iw'h'erebyv it will be.y un erstood.`

that a materialisavingfinr time .land labor-1 is accomplished during.t the apractical l"usey of the device inilpickingruit. Ass shown in these 'v1ews,1` the -Iimproved fruit conveyer is` provided with: abody prtion made in the form' of anelongateditube or chute `from can-v ,vas or otherysuitable andf` preferablyflexibleI material, extended 1 parallel with the stilemi .1 of the ladder 4and detachably secured .in po-l` sition seas to :be-capablerofi removal whenlit1 is desired .toquseathedadder forother pur-f poses, or to apply i they 'conveyer "to: different` ladders, and `being provided latintervals along` its length with.= fruit receiving. lips vor pockets indicated at I4, .141 on the drawings,softhatj the person :standingupon fthe -ladder conveniently drop :the fruit` as 1 the l same 1 is picked from tlie tree into one `or `another ci l such pocketswithout "the necessityfof ascend# ing or descending` the ladder tb"` render siic'hl pockets accessibleF "Asi shown `herein,` the?, l 3 body portion of the device is also made Wsec-*l accommodate the `device: to xladders or dif-u ferent lengths,-vor :to position i `the device at? different points: ulpon theA same ladder, suche body `p011mm:being herein "dShOvWn` las ['ori'nedl` from w lower Sectiong: 'an intermediate sec# tion 5, and an uppersection4," such sections being lalined .andjoined togetherpendito end,

SQ` as to f produce` a `substantially continuous tube :.orf chute to be traversed" byfthe'fruit dropped lintcfthe devic this structiirelpermits b intermediate sec`tion,i'f` the;`

in the. plane indicated by the linevb-V-b is applied is short, and also permits of insertmg a number of such intermediatesections 5, similar to each other and joined end to end, between the upper and lower `sections 4 and 3.

As shown in vthe drawings, each of the several tubular sections 3, 4 and 5 is provided at its upper end with a peripheral annular reinforcement or strip 6, which may be formed vconveniently from leather or other suitable materia-l adapted to withstand the wear imposed upon it, and serving to maintain the said upper ends of such sections suiiiciently open to receive within them the lower extremities of the superposed sections as indicated at 7 upon the drawings. It will be evident that the reinforced upper end of the upper section 4 is adapted' to receive the lower end of a superposed section in this manner although such arrangement will not ordinarily be necessary. The reinforcementsor bands 6, 6 provided in this way upon the sections afford a convenient situation in which to locate an attachment to the ladder4 stile, as shown in Fig.3, such attachment being in the form of a'strip 8 extended from the reinforcement 6 and apertured for engagement with a nail or pin 9 upon the stile l of the ladder, so as to retain the several sections of the conveyer closely alongside such stile, while permitting the same to be readily detached from the ladder whenever desired. The upper end of each section 3, 4 and 5 as herein shown is also provided with a longitudinally extended reinforcement 10 made in the form of a short flattened strip of wood or the like, secured along that surface of the conveyer which is ini ended to adj 0in the ladder during use, and of a length adapted to bridge across the space between two adjacent rungs 2, 2 in such a way as to assist in alining the sections with -each other, and each of these longitudinal reinforcements 10 is shown provided with a fastening 11, engageable with one of the rungs y2 for holding the sections securely in position for use. Such fastenings 11 are herein shown in the form of straps having buckles so that they may be detachably engaged over the rungs as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

` The fruit receiving lips or pockets 14, 14

may be located in any desired fashion upony the body portion, or may be omitted altogether without departure from the broad idea of my invention. Each such pocket or lip 14 as shown herein is formed from a plece of canvas or the like so inserted in the tube as to afford a projecting lip or pocketl open as shown at 12 so that the fruit may be conveniently dropped through such opening into the bore or hollow of the conveyer so as to traverse the length thereof and bedeposited in the receptacle, as will be hereinafter explained. Where the lips or pockets arrange 14 are produced from canvas as is desirablev to dpermit the device to be compactly for storage or shipment, I prefer to provide a resilient reinforcement 15 for the upper edge thereof adapted to o erate as a spring to retain the pocket or ip in opened position when the device is set up for use while permitting the same to be fiattened down when desired. Such reinforcement may be conveniently made from a piece of resilient wire or the like as shown at Fig. 5. A light spring 16 is also preferably provided at the junction of the lip 14 with the body portion of the conveyer to retain such pocket thrown out to the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

As shown the. lower section 3 has no pockets 14, but it is evident that such around the margin of such lip, with depending parts 19 normally retainin the lip in expanded condition 'as shown, ut permitting the same to be flattened if desired. If the conveyer be short, the pockets 14 may be omitted and the mouth or pocket 17 be employed exclusively for the reception of fruit.

At the lower part of the tubular body portion of the device, below the lower section 3 I have shown a delivery member 20 adapted to receive the fruit emerging from the lower end of said body portion and to deliver the same into a receptacle arranged to receive it. The delivery member 20 shown in the drawings is adjustable in order that it may be set at any desired angle, and is reversible so that the fruit may be delivered through it in different directions to different receptacles, so that when one basket or receptacle is filled, the fruit traversing the body portion may be directed to another basket or receptacle. Two such baskets are shown at 27 in Fig. 1, it being understood that when one basket is removed from beneath the delivery member after being filled with fruit, ,a fresh empty basket is positioned in its stead. The delivery member 2O is herein shown formed with two parallel frame bars or strips 21, 21 suitably spaced apart and tied at intermediate portions by transverse cleats or braces 22, 22, and at their ends by downwardly bent strips23, 23 which may be conveniently formed from metal, a sheet of canvas or other suitable material being extended as shown at 24 in trough-like shape between said strips or bars 21, 21 with its ends supported by the downwardly bent strips 23, 23 in such a way as to have its central :tti

b veyer'in order to control the speed at which ceases portion positioned lbeneath the open lower end of the lower member or section 3 of the body portion to receive the fruit discharged therefrom. The canvas or other sheet 24 will be sufiiciently soft and yielding, pars ticularly .at its central part as to avoid liability of bruising the lfruit. The opposite ends of the delivery `member are provided with tubular discharge members 25, 25 which may loe-conveniently formed from the extremities of the canvas or other sheet 24, and which depend below the trough like central portion ot said member 2O sothat when the same is set at an inclinatiomas indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the fruit dis-v charged thereto will be dropped into the baskets or receptacles 27. Elastic bands26 are passed around these members 25, 25 to retard the discharge ot the trait and prevent the same trom descending into the basket or receptacle with such torce as might bruise or injure it. The cleats or braces 22 also carry retarding devices 48, 48 positioned at opposite sides ot the mouth oft the body portion to prevent the truit trom rebounding from the delivery member, and also operating to slightly retard the travel ot the fruit along the inclined trough like central part oi theY member. Such retarding devices are illustrated as made in the form ot pendent piecesoit leather 48, slitted vertically in such a way as to permit the passage ot the fruit along member 20.. Y

'lo lessen the liability of bruising the fruit during its passage downward through the tubular body portion of the device, l have shown that side ot said body portion which adjoins the ladder during use provided with an internal padded surface 32,' suiiciently sott to prevent damage to the fruit rolling down over the boards 10 and ladder rungs 2, 2. 'lt desired, this padded or cushioned surface may be limited to those parts of the chute sections or members which intervene between the boards or reinforcements 10, 10, since there is greater liability of injury to the fruit by contactover the ladder rungs. l have shown the mouth portion of the upper section or member 4 provided with an lauxiliary retarding device in the 'form of a spirally arranged'canvas strip 35 sewed-to theinner surface ot said member, and" adapt- Y ed to retard or impede the vdescent of the @fruit dropped into the mouth of the consuch fruit descends, andabove each' lipl or pocket 14 l have also provided an aui'ciiliary,4 retarding device 36 in the form of a flexible4 canvas valve',` one edge ofl which split as shown atB'-,soas to'produc'elupwardly and parts whichl arel stitched to. the wall of the b 'od'y'po'rtion above each :opening .12 to. further retard g orA impedej the` descent of the fruit.` Beneath downwardly directed each such pocket 14 I have also provided auxiliary retarding `devices in the form of flexible pins 38, 38 of'rubber` or the like secured to the walls of the body portion and projecting in the pathof the fruit to control the rapidity of its descent through the conveyor. These several devices may be omitt-edif desired, particularlyin the event that the conveyor ispositioned at a considerable angle to thevertical.. Where employed, they may be variously positioned in the length' of the body portion.

l have also shown the body portion providedv near its lower end with controlling means adapted to control the discharge of the fruit therefrom to the delivery member 20, such means including a lower padded member or valve 39, hinged at 40 to one wall of member or section 3 andextended in osition to be encountered by the descending fruit, which thereupon operates to swing said valve downwardly. This valve has connection by a link 41 with the lower end of a iointed lever 42V pivoted at 43 and coupled with a spring 44 operating to hold said valve normally in the path of the fruit. 'lhis lever 42 comprises two sections 42a and 42b pivotally connected as seen at 432a and normally pressed` together by a spring 44a. 'lhe upper section 42b of the lever 42 is coupled by a link 45 with a similar padded member or valve 46 hinged at 47 to the wall ot section .or member 3 but normally pressed by springs 44 and 44at against the wall thereof out of the path of the descending fruit. By this arrangement, an apple or the like descending the chute and contacting with member 39 swings the same downwardly,

the lever connection with valve member 46 operating in a substantially automatic man* ner to project the same into the path of the next succeeding lapple so as to retard the same to an extent sufficient to permit the tirstapple to roll down the trough-like delivery member out of the way so that it shall not be damaged by the striking of such succeeding apple upon it, while, should the succeeding apple be inthe path of said valve member 46, the spring 44a permits the section 42b of lever 42 toflex outwardly when the lower section 42aL is `ihoved by contact of the lowerapple upon the lower valve member 39, whereby clogging of the tubular ted, or may be substituted for the retarding devices 35, 36 or A38, `being then duplicated at intervals along the body portion.

As shown in the drawings, the delivery member20 is pivotally supported in order that it ma be adjusted and reversed to different inc inations, being for this purpose jprovided with spaced lugs 28, 28 upon the arsor strips 21,21 which are pivoted upon arms-29,- 29vextended Yfrom the lower board stood as limiting m self'tothe precise form.

j invention in practice.

I claim and desire to 10 at opposite sides of the lower member or section 3 of the body portion, and the pivotal adjustment of said member 20 is controlled by flexible connections 30, 30 or the like, extended from its opposite ends upwardly along the side of the] body portion to the upper part thereof where they are engaged with an eye 31 upon the upper board 10. Other eyes 31 guide these connections at lower points upon the body ortion. By this means, if one basket be filled withl fruit, the user of the device standing at any point on the ladder, may draw upon these connections 30 in such a manner as to reverse the inclination of the delivery member 20 so that the fruit will thereafter be directed .to another baske From `the above description it will be seen that the improved fruit conveyer constructed according to myv invention is of an extremely simple, and comparatively inexpensive nature, and is particularly well adapted for use by'reason of the convenience with which it `may be transported from tree to tree and of the facility with which the fruit is conveyed. to the baskets or other receptacles without liability of injury, and it will also be obvious from the above description that the device is susceptible of some modiication without material-departure from the rinciples and spirit of the invention, and or this reason I do not desire to be underand arrangement o the several parts-of the device as herein set forth in carrying out my myinvention, what secure by Letters Having thus described Patent is 1. A fruit conveyer having a body portion provided with a passage adapted to be traversed by fruit, a pluralityv of mo-vably supported members extended inwardly from the walls of-said passage and adapted for 'successive engagement with the fruit traversing the same, said members being spaced apart at intervals along the length of the passage, and means for communicating movement from one member to the other.

2. A fruit conveyer having a body portion adapted to be traversed b of-Lpivoted members wit 1in the conveyer, adapted for engagement with the fruit traversing the body section, and means for successively moving said members into operative position.

3. A fruit conveyer having 'a body portion adapted to be traversed by fruit, a plurality of pivoted members within the conveyer,

ladapted to be engaged with and moved by the fruit traversing the bodysection, and means for communicating such movement from one member to the other.

4. A fruit conveyer vhaving an elongated body portion adapted to be traversed by Ybody portion and levers co-nnectin fruit, a plurality i fruit, a plurality of movable supported members adapted for engagement with the fruit traversing the body portion, and means for normally holdin one of said members in the ath of trave of the fruit and the remain er of such members out of the path.

5. A fruit conveyer havin a body ortion adapted to be traversed by ruit, a lliirality of pivoted members extended wit in said said members in a manner for communlcating movement of one such member to. another.

6. A fruit conveyer having a body portion adapted to be traversed by fruit, pivoted members within the body portion, links engaging the pivoted members, and projecting exteriorly -of the body. portion and a pivoted lever in engagement with the links whereby the movement of one member imparts movement toanother member.

7. A fruit conveyer having a body portion adapted to be traversed by fruit, pivoted members Within the bod portion, links engaging the pivoted members and projecting exteriorly of the body portion vand a pivoted `lever in engagement with the links, said lever being formed in two sections having movement, one with relation to the other, to permit liexure of said lever.

8. A fruit conveyer having a body portion adapted to be traversed by fruit, pivoted members Within the bod portion, links engaging the pivoted members and projecting exteriorly of thebody portion, and a ivoted lever in engagement with the links, and means engaging the lever to hold one of the members normally in the path of the fruit.

9. A fruit conveyer having a body portion `adapted to be traversed by fruit, pivoted members within the body portion, links en` gaging the pivoted members andprojectin exteriorly of the bodyportion, land a pivote lever in .engagement with the links, and a`| `spring engagingthe lever tovhold one of bhe members normally in the path of the ruit. f

10.` A .fruit conveyer havin a ladder, an elongated'chute member exten ed along said ladder and adapted to be traversed by fruit, said chute being formed of telescopicsecgageable with the ladder to hold the sections against displacement with relation one to the other.

1l. A fruit conveyer having a ladder, an elongated chute member, extended along said ladder and adapted to be traversed by fruit, said chute being formed of telescopic sections, and means projecting from the upper end ortion of each section engageable with the adder to hold the sections against displacement with'relation one to the other.

12. A fruit conveyer having a ladder, an elongated chute member extended along one side thereof and adapted to be traversed by tions, and means carried by each section enf fruit, said conveyer comprising a plurality` With a rung of the ladder to hold said seotions against displacement one with relation to the other.

13. A fruit conveyer having a ladder, an elongated chute member extended along one side thereof, and adapted to be traversed by fruit, a delivery member supported for movement with relation to the chute into which the chute discharges and means engaging the delivery member extending along the chute for imparting movement to said delivery member from diiferent positions on the ladder.

14. A fruit conveyer having a ladder, an elongated chute member extended along said ladder and adapted to be traversed by fruit, said chute being formed of telescopic sections, a reinforcement for each of the sections and means carried by the reinforcement of each section engageable with the ladder to hold the sections against displacement one with relation to the othbr.

15. A fruit conveyer having a ladder, an elongated chute member extended along one side thereof, and adapted to be traversed by fruit, said conveyer comprising a plurality of telescopic sections, a reinforce member for each of the sections extended longitudinally thereof, and of a length to intersect adj aoent rungs of the ladder and means carried by such reinforce engaging the rungs of the ladder to hold the sections against displacement one with relation to the other.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this fourteenth day of December 1909, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HENRY DOUGLAS GORDON.

Witnesses:

BnssrmY. GORDON, HENRY R, GORDON. 

